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82 With reference to the research question pertaining to the identification of the factors influencing local government in general and local government service provision in particular, the aim of the empirical research in this section was:

 To determine the role of local government in ensuring an acceptable quality of life for all South Africans in compliance with the local government statutory framework;

 To identify the challenges facing local government service provision;

 To identify the reasons for the lack of institutional capacity, skills and experience so as to ensure the effective provision of services at local government level and to assess how local government should address this challenge; and

 To identify whether the plethora of applicable local government legislation has a negative influence on local government service provision.

3.3.2 Sampling

The population for purposes of the research in this section consisted of functionaries in the Motheo district municipality and the Mangaung, Mantsopa and Naledi local municipalities since the aim was to evaluate the influence of political factors on the services provided by these institutions as example in the local government sphere. In determining the role of local government within the current legislative framework and identifying the typical service provision challenges facing local government in general, it was essential to identify respondents with substantial knowledge of the local government environment in the Free State provincial government and the identified municipalities. The participants that were identified also provided essential information that helped to clarify the reasons for the lack of institutional capacity, skills and experience within these municipalities in particular and the local government sphere in general, as well as to identify whether the plethora of applicable local

83 government legislation has a negative influence on the applicable service provision.

In a discussion document that was presented to its National General Council in 2010 the ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) identified a number of factors “that exposed the causal reasons for distress in municipal governance”.

These factors include the tensions between the political and administrative interface, the inability of many councillors to deal with the demands of local government and insufficient separation of powers between political parties and municipalities. Other factors that were identified are the poor compliance with legislative and regulatory frameworks for municipalities, the instability of municipal administrations and ineffective financial accountability (ANC, 2010).

These factors correspond with the research results obtained with the identified research population. This acknowledgement of the ANC, who governs all 25 municipalities in the Free State, is sufficient motivation that the results identified in this Chapter also apply to the identified municipalities in particular and can be generalised in terms of the Free State as a whole.

The main objective of this study as indicated in paragraph 1.3 is to put the political reality of local government service provision into perspective, and it is therefore also essential to analyse the views of important office-bearers of the main political parties in the Free State. Interviews, based on an arrangement of structured questions, were held with two members of the Executive Council (MECs) in the Free State Province, four members of the Provincial Legislature (MPLs), senior managers of the Provincial Department of Co-operative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements as well as councillors and senior employees of municipalities in the Free State Province.

The political office-bearers in the provincial and local government spheres who were interviewed included members of the ruling ANC party, as well as members of the opposition political parties in the Free State Legislature and the relevant

84 municipal councils. The MPLs included members of the ruling ANC, the leader of the official opposition in the Free State Legislature, and the national chairperson of the Freedom Front Plus. The councillors and employees of the municipalities identified above were serving as mayors, speakers and municipal managers.

Interviews in terms of the questionnaires were conducted with councillors and employees of the following municipalities: Motheo District Municipality (central and eastern Free State area), Mangaung Local Municipality (Bloemfontein, Botshabelo, Thaba Nchu area), Mantsopa Local Municipality (Ladybrand, Excelsior, Tweespruit, Hobhouse, Thaba Patchoa area), and Naledi Local Municipality (Dewetsdorp, Wepener, Van Stadensrus area).

The motivation for involving these municipalities was that the Motheo District Municipality and the Mangaung and Mantsopa local municipalities are generally regarded as suitably resourced municipalities in the Free State Province. In terms of Government Notice 733 of 1 July 2004 (SA, 2004a:13), they are classified as high- and medium-capacity municipalities respectively. The Mantsopa Local Municipality received the Vuna award for the best local municipality in South Africa in 2004. The Naledi Local Municipality, however, receives support from the other spheres of government in terms of Project Consolidate. This municipality can also be regarded as one of the less resourced municipalities in the Free State.

As indicated, not all the municipalities in the Free State were selected for purposes of the survey, but as is evident from media reports, statements made by senior government office-bearers and opposition political parties, and reports of the Free State Legislature, inadequate local government service provision and the challenges facing municipalities appear to be of general concern. Interviews were held with a total of 31 respondents consisting of provincial and local government political office-bearers, as well as senior provincial government and municipal employees who, by virtue of the positions they occupy, could be

85 regarded as having experience or possessing technical knowledge of the challenges experienced by the local sphere of government. To ensure contributions from respondents with different fields of expertise, interviews were conducted with more than one respondent from the Provincial Department of Co-operative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements and from each particular municipality.

Finally, the views and opinions of the public with respect to their municipal service provision expectations and the performance of government were also essential for this research. The comprehensive research conducted by Ipsos Markinor on these aspects, as discussed in section 3.2.3.2, adequately meets this research requirement.